Cheriton Light Festival 2014
The last weekend of February saw Cheriton transformed by art, music, and community for the second Cheriton Lights Festival. The streets, shops, and homes of this charming Kent town were illuminated with a diverse array of artworks, from international artists who traveled from as far as the USA and Vienna to local talent. The roads were closed to traffic, allowing thousands of visitors to freely explore and engage with the stunning displays.
The event received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with shops and eateries benefiting from the increased foot traffic. Our heartfelt thanks go to our generous funders: Arts Council England, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Roger De Haan Charitable Trust, Tory Family Foundation, Folkestone Town Council, Shepway District Council, The High Street Innovation Fund, Interreg European Funding, L’Ecole d’Art du Calaisis, and Kent County Council. Special thanks to Stagecoach South East for their travel support and to photographer Andy Jones for capturing the festival’s vibrant atmosphere.
Featured Artists:
Assocreation: Their piece, High Expansion Reality Show, involved a ground-penetrating art experiment at Cheriton High Street and Surrenden Road.
Colin Booth: Booth’s The Nothing New neon installation, visible from the train line, and Jesus Wept at All Souls Church, add striking visual elements to the festival.
Callum Cooper: Antecedents, an outdoor cinema piece screened in the High Street, was supported by Kent-based artist Margherita Gramegna.
Nayan Kulkarni: Return offered an immersive experience using light and text from Cheriton’s historical postcards, transforming words into an integral part of the artwork.
